Ignacio Molarja facts for kids
Ignacio Molarja (also known as Ignacio Molarsa) was an explorer and Jesuit missionary. He was born in Caller, Sardinia, Italy, in 1610. He died in Tecoripa, Sonora, Mexico, on November 24, 1658. His last name is spelled in different ways in old writings, like "Molar Ja," "Molargia," or "Molarza." He was sometimes confused with Jerónimo de la Canal, another missionary he worked with. Ignacio Molarja began his religious studies in 1635. He arrived in what is now northwest Mexico in 1644. As an explorer and missionary, he started several missions in the area we now call Sonora. He passed away in Tecoripa due to health problems.
Contents
Life as a Missionary
Early Life and Arrival in New Spain
Ignacio Molarja joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) when he was 25 years old in his home province in 1635. He started his missionary work on July 3, 1644. In the same year, he traveled with Felipe Esgrecho to New Spain, which is modern-day Mexico.
They explored the western part of New Spain, known as Sonora or Sinaloa. They first worked with the Ópata people in the area of San Francisco of Borja. This village had already been converted by Franciscan missionaries.
In 1646, Molarja founded the Jesuit mission of Our Lady of Assumption of Arizpe. He also founded the nearby village of Saint Ignacio of Sinoquipe. Later, Father Pedro de Velasco sent Molarja, Juan Uter, and Francisco Maluenda to continue their missions. Molarja was given charge of the villages in the Valley of Sonora, including Arizpe, Chinapa, and Vacobuchi.
After Father Francisco Oliñano died in 1647, Baltasar Xavier Loaisa took over his missions. However, the mission territory was very large. So, Loaisa only managed the missions east of the Yaqui River, which were Ónabas and Tecoripa. Pedro Pantoja then put Molarja in charge of the missions west of the river. These included Rebeico, Soyopa, and Suaqui.
Challenges with the Pimas Altos
In 1649, there was an uprising in the village of the Pimas Altos. Father Molarja had to ask Captain Simón Lazo de la Vega for help. Captain Lazo de la Vega, along with Fathers Pedro Pantoja and Jerónimo de la Canal, helped to control the Pima village effectively. Jerónimo de la Canal had also helped establish the Arizpe mission.
Moving Missions and a Threat
In 1651, Molarja left the Arizpe mission. He took over for Father Juan de Mendoza at the Cumuripa mission. He also continued to manage the Tecoripa and Suaqui missions.
Between 1651 and 1653, Molarja and Jerónimo de la Canal visited the Cucubarunich village. They faced some danger there, but the Pimas ended up supporting the Jesuits. In the same year, Molarja reconnected with the Jesuits from his home country of Italy. A few months later, he became Father Francisco Paris's replacement at the Ures mission.
Two years later, in 1655, he went to Arizpe with De la Canal. He received a letter from Rome from Father General Gosvino Nickel. The letter, dated January 24, mentioned Molarja's role as a rector and teacher.
Final Years and Death
In 1658, Ignacio Molarja took charge of the Cumuripa village mission. He also continued with the Suaqui and Tecoripa missions. These missions were part of the larger San Francisco of Borja mission. Even though local spiritual leaders were against him, Father Molarja worked with the local boys. He taught them to sing prayers and ask for divine help. Soon after, heavy rains caused a lot of damage.
That year, Father Molarja began to have serious health problems. He stayed in bed for several weeks in Tecoripa. He died on November 24, 1658, and was buried in Tecoripa. Father Prudencio Mesa, who was visiting the area, took over Molarja's missions.
A year later, Father Gosvino Nickel sent another letter from Rome to missionary Alonso Bonifacio. The letter mentioned that an altar would be built for the deceased missionary, Ignacio Molarja.
See also
In Spanish: Ignacio Molarja para niños
